{Cool Math Games} Dominoes and a Deck of Cards

Grab some dominoes and a deck of cards. These cool math games work on number recognition and counting. Here at Kids Activities Blog we love to take items we already have around the house and use them for fun and learning.

Cool Math Games

If you need a quick play idea, a simple matching game using a handy deck of playing cards will work for you. Dominoes are also full of learning potential and fun. By combining the two, you’ll get an entirely new experience. This could be just what’s needed on a dreary day.

Dominoes and a Deck of Cards

Game 1

Learning Numbers

Grab a deck of playing cards that have numbers on them. {It’s great if the deck includes numbers 1-12 so you will be able to match all of the dominoes. If not, work with the numbers you have.} If you don’t have a deck of cards, you can write the numbers 1-12 on a piece of paper.

Lay the playing cards out on the table or floor next to a pile of dominoes.

Have your child choose a domino.

Ask your child how many dots are on one side of the domino. Help her count them if needed.

Have her match the domino with a playing card that has the same number.

Game 2

Matching Game

Play this game similar to a regular game of dominoes.

Have your child choose a domino and place it on the table or floor before him.

Ask how many dots are on one side of the domino. Help him count them if needed.

Have him choose a number card that matches the number of dots.

Ask your child to find another domino with the same number of dots as the number card.

Continue this process forming a chain of dominoes and number cards.

Game 3

Counting Game

This game is a fun stacking game that reminds me of our dump truck counting game where we counted how many dominoes we could stack in a dump truck. {My son made up that game.}

Draw a number card.

Choose as many dominoes as the number on the card.

Try to stack the dominoes up without knocking them over.

If your dominoes fall over, you could place them into 2 or 3 stacks.

How do you like to practice numbers and counting?

More Kids Activities

Cool math games like these make kids beg for math time! What a fun way to use basic dominoes and a deck of cards. For more creative math games and kids activities, we think you might like these great ideas:

About Trisha

Trisha is a stay at home mom to her 3-year old son, Aiden. She writes about their adventures at Inspiration Laboratories, a blog dedicated to encouraging learning through creativity and play. Trisha is an educator with a passion for science literacy. It is never too early to start encouraging science learning (or any kind of learning for that matter). Follow along on Facebook, Twitter as @inspire_labs, Google+, and Pinterest.

Comments

I homeschool ages 4 to 6 and these colorful math manipulates from games I already have are a GREAT idea!! We are starting a link up party on Thursdays (today:), and we would love for you to join us with this post and/or any others you would like to include. We are at allthingswithpurpose.com. Hope to see you there!!